Work With NCI

NCInnovation, Inc. (“NCI”) is a Research Triangle Park, NC-based 501(c)(3) created to accelerate the commercialization and scale of innovative research from North Carolina universities. Backed by more than $25 million in corporate commitments, NCI is building the partnerships, organizational, and grant management capabilities to leverage a $500 million State-funded endowment to support regional innovation networks and provide applied research funding and commercialization support services to position North Carolina as first-in-the-country in innovation.   

Job Summary:

This position reports to the Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer, and provides strategic direction, cross-functional coordination, and oversight for NCI’s Regional Networks and Hubs Program and related work. This high-visibility, high-value area of NCI activity reaches across North Carolina’s system of public research universities to identify applied research and inventions, and work with faculty to develop pipeline for market-ready solutions that fuel economic growth. The VP will also identify areas for NCI investment in strengthening and growing regional ecosystem support for emerging university-borne technologies and businesses. The VP for Regional Networks and Hubs will work closely with NCI Regional Directors to identify faculty with promising applied research and will oversee the organization’s faculty outreach and applied research development pipeline, with an emphasis on working with faculty to identify market fit direction and readying projects for NCI grant funding. The VP will ensure that faculty outreach and ecosystem investments are appropriately aligned to NCI’s strategy and funding authorities. Additionally, the VP will lead the design and development of NCI’s metrics and impact data collection and reporting. 

Responsibilities:

• With the EVP/CIO, provide strategy and direction to build NCI’s statewide Regional Networks and Hub Program 
• Provide strategic input on areas of applied research identification, faculty engagement and education, ecosystem programmatic development 
• Provide day-to-day support for Regional Network and Hub Directors in the implementation of NCI programs 
• Liaise regularly with university administrators, faculty, industry, ecosystem partners and external collaborators as a key relationship conduit to the NCI RTP office 
• Assist in managing the relationships and projects within UNC Chapel Hill and NC State University 
• Build and maintain relationships with key ecosystem partners and assist NCI funded projects with further development strategy 
• Coordinate and evaluate NCI developed or contracted educational and commercialization support offerings for faculty 
• Represent NCI by participating with various internal and external groups and associations 
• Contribute to external communication efforts related to all aspects of NCI’s work. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Demonstrated strategic leadership, planning and change management skills. 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.  
• Advanced expertise in budget planning and financial forecasting. 
• Strong knowledge of faculty commercialization and legal standards, trends and/or regulatory requirements. 
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, written and presentation skills, including demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate effectively across multiple units of an organization. 
• Advanced leadership skills, political acumen, and demonstrated ability to develop and execute organizational vision. 
• Demonstrated ability to independently exercise sound judgement and decision making, including ability to analyze complex problems and develop creative and effective solutions.  
• Record of high achievement in supporting faculty as they navigate IP-related contracting and the application of intellectual property principles, preferably as they impact institutions of higher education. 
• Exceptional relationship skills, consensus building skills and proven ability to cultivate and maintain strong collaborative relationships with faculty, build professional business relationships, and represent the university externally. 
• Proven ability to professionally interact, influence, negotiate and resolve conflicts with internal constituencies, external business partners and senior leadership. 
• Proven ability to strategically manage personnel and other resources, and effectively prioritize and manage multiple time-sensitive and complex projects from inception to timely completion. 
• Demonstrated expertise and advanced knowledge of contract and IP laws, University policies, relevant industry trends and related government regulatory requirements. 
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite and ability to learn applicable business systems. Highly proficient working with IP and contracting data information systems, typical academic policies and standard operating procedures while performing the core responsibilities of industry research contracting and technology transfer. 

Requirements:

The successful candidate must be well organized, flexible, and enjoy the challenges of working in a dynamic organization; must demonstrate a high level of professionalism and discretion; and able to interact with stakeholders at all levels in a fast-paced environment while remaining proactive, resourceful, and efficient. The Vice President will participate in a cooperative work environment while demonstrating the highest standards of moral and ethical conduct. Requires a proven ability to work with faculty in applied research and emerging technologies, develop and leverage partnerships and relationships; expert written and verbal communication skills; independent decision making; exceptional time management; and proactive attention to detail.

Qualifications:

The Vice President for Regional Networks and Hubs should possess the following minimum qualifications:

• Demonstrated strategic leadership, planning and change management skills. 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.  
• Advanced expertise in budget planning and financial forecasting. 
• Strong knowledge of faculty commercialization and legal standards, trends and/or regulatory requirements. 
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, written and presentation skills, including demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate effectively across multiple units of an organization. 
• Advanced leadership skills, political acumen, and demonstrated ability to develop and execute organizational vision. 
• Demonstrated ability to independently exercise sound judgement and decision making, including ability to analyze complex problems and develop creative and effective solutions.  
• Record of high achievement in supporting faculty as they navigate IP-related contracting and the application of intellectual property principles, preferably as they impact institutions of higher education. 
• Exceptional relationship skills, consensus building skills and proven ability to cultivate and maintain strong collaborative relationships with faculty, build professional business relationships, and represent the university externally. 
• Proven ability to professionally interact, influence, negotiate and resolve conflicts with internal constituencies, external business partners and senior leadership. 
• Proven ability to strategically manage personnel and other resources, and effectively prioritize and manage multiple time-sensitive and complex projects from inception to timely completion. 
• Demonstrated expertise and advanced knowledge of contract and IP laws, University policies, relevant industry trends and related government regulatory requirements. 
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite and ability to learn applicable business systems. Highly proficient working with IP and contracting data information systems, typical academic policies and standard operating procedures while performing the core responsibilities of industry research contracting and technology transfer. 

Comp & Benefits:

NCI offers competitive compensation based on experience, to include a comprehensive benefit package with flexible paid time off; employer-sponsored medical, dental, and vision insurance; disability; and a 401(k) plan

More Information:

For more information, or to apply for this position, contact NCI’s human resources department (humanresources@ncinnovation.org)